Why do dermatologists recommend Vaseline so much?

Vaseline, Vaseline, Vaseline.  It often seems like I am a broken record in my office recommending Vaseline on a regular basis.   Why do dermatologists like it so much?

As everyone knows, Vaseline is a name brand for a topical product called petrolatum.  Plain old Vaseline doesn’t have any other ingredients other than petrolatum.  That is the one dermatologists like.  Here are some answers to the most common questions I get when I tell patients to use Vaseline.  

Wound Care

When treating a wound, studies have shown that the moister a wound is, the faster and better it heals.  This is often in contrast to what was suggested 25 years ago, when a hard dry scab was what most people thought, and often still do think, would allow the quickest wound healing.  Vaseline is a simple, inexpensive, easily purchased product that provides the moist environment we desire for wound healing.

But why Vaseline?  What about Aquaphor?  Neosporin?

When we are treating things as dermatologists, we are acutely aware of the commonality of topical allergies.  When treating a wound or a rash, the last thing we want to do is make it worse by causing an allergic reaction.  Allergies to petrolatum, the only active ingredient in Vaseline are very rare.  IN CONTRAST…. 

Aquaphor contains lanolin to which studies show 1-7% of all individuals are allergic.  In 2023, Lanolin was named contact allergen of the year by the American Contact Dermatitis Sociey.

Neosporin contains neomycin which was the allergen of the year is 2010.  Although estimates vary, at least 5-15% of all individuals are allergic to neomycin.  

So, if we tell our patients to use Aquaphor or Neosporin for wounds about 10% are going to come back with a rash and worried that the wound is infected. 

Plus, in head to head comparison, Vaseline does equally well as any other product for wound healing.

Other rashes

The most common areas I often will recommend people use Vaseline is for dryness of the lips, eyelids and of the vulvar vaginal external area.  In these areas, contact dermatitis from creams of all kinds is even more prominent.  Vaseline often provides the necessary moisture without the risk of allergy.

Negatives of Vaseline

The biggest negative of Vaseline is that it is comedogenic, meaning it clogs pores.  Long term use, months or years, can lead to clogged pores and milium.  I have met patients who put Vaseline on their face each night.  This is not recommended, because in time tons of milium will occur from the pores being clogged. 

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